Money can end up in the wrong hands

The US presented a new strategy at the Afghanistan conference in The Hague: increased military deployment, but also more money for reconstruction. The goal is to prevent a second Vietnam, the daily De Morgen writes: "But this still raises the question of how European countries like Belgium can make a responsible contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The past seven years have proven that it is not a good idea to participate in military efforts: the Nato offensives engender above all additional violence and insecurity. But providing more development aid is also a dangerous option. Those who give money to a failed state must be aware that this money will probably end up in the wrong hands. The best proof of this is the outrageous judgement pronounced on the young journalist Pervez Kambaksh, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on appeal for distributing a text on women's rights. We should think twice before giving money to such a state."

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